It’s almost time for the ghouls and goblins (princesses, too!) to make their way to our doors and treat themselves to some candy. It’s an exciting time of year for kids and we want to ensure that everyone is kept safe. This is a traditional holiday that no one wants turned to tragedy.

It’s a great idea to take some precautionary measures to keep our trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween. Here are a few tips to do just that.

When planning your child’s costume, be sure it fits properly, is bright or reflective and opt for flame-resistant, if possible. There are costumes that have capes or tails, which can easily catch fire if there are any open flames nearby.

Masks may not fit properly and can obstruct your child’s view of the street when he or she are walking to the next house. If that worries you, try to use face paint instead so that nothing is blocking their vision.

Be sure that any costume extras, like swords, are made of soft, flexible material. Kids like to play pretend and we don’t want them to hurt each other by mistake.

While preparing the safety of your child’s costume, you should also think about other ways to keep them away from harm:

Go trick-or-treating before it gets dark out so that it is easier for motorists to see them, especially if they’re crossing the streets.

Visit familiar homes and friendly neighborhoods. Well-lit homes are most likely welcoming trick-or-treaters and some neighbors might already be outside waiting to hand out some treats.

As soon as your child comes home with their treats, be sure to inspect them before they eat them. Unfortunately, there have been instances where treats have been tampered with and we want to make sure our kids don’t get hurt or sick.

Halloween isn’t just for the kids. If you want to join in on the fun, plan a family costume. Go out as a superhero team or characters from your child’s favorite TV show and enjoy the night out as a family and have some fun. Your children might even share their treats with you!